EUROBASKET 2011

GROUP E - WEDNESDAY at 21:00 (20:00 CET)

Same position, similar styles of play, different generations. Sarunas Jasikevicius goes up against Milos Teodosic when Lithuania meet Serbia on Wednesday night

Lithuania and Serbia will square off in a rematch of last year's bronze medal game at the World Championship on the opening night of Group E action at the EuroBasket in Vilnius.

Both teams have designs on not just reaching the podium but winning the title and are carrying 1-1 records into the Second Round.

Serbia are looking to rebound from their only setback in Siauliai, with France beating them in overtime on Monday night, and coach Dusan Ivkovic knows exactly where the team needs to improve.

"I think the French got too many points off turnovers, 19," he said.

"And also second chances for teams, this is something we have to control in the future."

Lithuania are hoping to ride their home-court advantage in Vilnius to victory.

The only team to beat the Lithuanians so far has been defending champions Spain.

The Baltic squad will be shorthanded against Serbia with center Marijonas Petravicius having been ruled out for the remainder of the competition because of a problem with his lungs.

Head To Head: At the 2010 FIBA World Championship in Turkey, Lithuania defeated Serbia 99-88.

Last Time Out: France edged Serbia after overtime, 97-96, and Lithuania blew out Portugal, 98-69.

Key Match-Up: A fascinating encounter could take place between young and old with Sarunas Jasikevicius almost certain to go up against Milos Teodosic of Serbia during the clash.

Key Stat: In Group B wins over Italy, Latvia, Israel and Germany, Serbia out-rebounded the opponents and won. In their fifth game against France, however, Les Bleus grabbed eight more boards than the Serbians and won the game in overtime.

X-Factor: Paulius Jankunas hasn't had a prominent role at the EuroBasket yet but he was a huge part of the team's success last year at the World Championship. In the bronze-medal win over Serbia, Jankunas had 15 points. So far, Jankunas has averaged just under 12 minutes per game but he played 20 in the win over Portugal.

Sounding Off: "We just have to keep playing with heart on the court," says Serbia center Kosta Perovic.